Disabled seek bishops' support for community living law

Published: 2006-07-28

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- More than 30 people in wheelchairs occupied the lobby of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops for an hour July 27 in an effort to get USCCB backing for a federal law that would help many people with disabilities live in their communities instead of in nursing homes. The demonstrators were members of Adapt, a national organization that fights for disability rights. After demonstrating for an hour and meeting briefly with top USCCB officials, who agreed to a follow-up meeting, the group left. Cassie James of Philadelphia, who led the group in several chants, told Catholic News Service that Adapt "is fighting for real choice" for many people with disabilities who would be able to leave nursing homes if Medicare and Medicaid funding were not biased in favor of the institutionalization of those with disabilities. The group was seeking support for the Medicaid Community-based Attendant Services and Support Act, which the demonstrators referred to by the shortened name MiCASSA. The bill has been introduced in both houses of Congress.

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